Spain: Theme Parks Receive Awards during FITUR – Sustainability Is a Top Topic in Tourism
For PortAventura Solar, Choni Fernández receives the Award for Responsible and Sustainable Tourism during FITUR in Madrid.
Through Sunday (22 January), the international FITUR tourism trade show (Feria Internacional de Turismo) can be visited in Madrid – among the over 750 exhibitors are also theme parks and other leisure destinations that focus on the touristic marketing of their experience offers. During the five-day event, a number of projects and concepts that make a significant contribution to the sustainable development of the tourism industry were honoured with awards. Among the companies honoured was the Catalan theme park resort PortAventura World, which received an award for its “PortAventura Solar” sustainable energy project as part of the “VI Premios de Turismo Responsable y Sostenible” (Awards for Responsible and Sustainable Tourism) presented by the Fundación InterMundial and the World Tourism Organisation. The PortAventura Solar project earmarks the installation of 11,102 solar panels on a total area of 6.4 hectares within the resort. Around 10 GWh of electricity is expected to be generated annually by the huge solar installation, covering approximately one third of PortAventura World’s energy needs. The investment in this project amounts to over 4.8 million euros. Other strategic undertakings by the park to promote sustainable operations also include the new strategic partnership with the railway company Renfe, signed a year ago (we reported).
“In 2023, one of the most important actions of our sustainability strategy will be realised with the launch of PortAventura Solar. The plant will prevent the emission of 4,000 tonnes of CO2 per year into the atmosphere, equivalent to the amount of CO2 absorbed by around 930,000 trees. Our priority remains to become an increasingly sustainable destination, powered by clean and renewable energy, promoting decarbonisation and responsible consumption, and supporting environmental education for young people,” says Choni Fernández, PortAventura’s Sustainability Director.
A particularly extensive solar energy project was also recently announced by Germany’s Europa-Park, which also wants to comprehensively operate its facilities with renewable energies.
Representatives of Puy du Fou & CAIXABANK.
Likewise, the show theme park Puy du Fou España, which opened two years ago (c.f. EAP 3/21), was honoured with a sustainability award during FITUR. The destination received an award from CAIXABANK during the trade fair for the environmentally friendly development and design of the park site in Toledo, which corresponds to the nature-oriented land use concept of the French parent theme park Puy du Fou in Les Epesses. Another award was presented to Puy du Fou España as one of the leading tourism players for achieving high quality and industry prestige, given by Grupo Excelencias.
One of the next important events for companies in the tourism industry is the ITB (Internationale Tourismus-Börse), which will take place from 7 to 9 March 2023 in the halls of Messe Berlin. Among others, Europa-Park Resort, Bioparc Valencia, Autostadt GmbH, the Dutch miniature world park Madurodam and global theme park brands such as SeaWorld will present themselves there. The EAP team will also be on site at the trade fair to inform you about the latest topics and trends in the tourism industry. Read our daily industry news and follow us on social media to stay informed! (eap)
